Opera, the web browser used by over 320 million people, is bringing its mobile cryptocurrency wallet to the PC.
There are several important considerations for a cryptocurrency wallet. Two of these are security and accessibility. Opera, a pioneering web browser, took these features to heart when they launched a built-in cryptocurrency wallet for Android mobile devices (Opera for Android) last month. Now that wallet is coming to their PC-based browser.
Opera Looking to Make Cryptocurrency Mainstream
The PC browser will feature a built-in cryptocurrency wallet that features Ethereum support. Opera believes this new innovation will help fulfill the company’s goal of incorporating built-in features that their users are looking for. As such, they look to push technology forward.
Krystian Kolondra, Opera’s EVP Browsers, says:
At Opera, we try to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our next aim is to make crypto-integration mainstream. We believe blockchain technology has the power to transform the web of tomorrow and expect it to make a big difference in the years to come.
Charles Hamel, Product Lead of Opera Crypto, adds:
By adding a crypto wallet directly into the browser, we removed the need for complex extensions or separate apps. Opening up the PC browser to crypto marks Opera’s second step towards making cryptocurrencies and Web 3.0 mainstream.
PC Using the Mobile Wallet
It should be noted that the cryptocurrency wallet is not totally self-contained for the Opera PC browser. The PC browser works with the user’s mobile device (Android) browser to use the cryptocurrency wallet.
Users will have to connect the two browser version (mobile and PC) to fully use the PC version of the wallet. This connection is easily made. Users just have to scan a QR code from their Opera PC browser to link the two.
A user then spends their cryptocurrency using the PC browser, but they confirm the purchase on their mobile phone. There is no password to remember to access the PC wallet. The phone’s secure system lock is used to store the keys. In addition, users will sign for their cryptocurrency transactions by using their fingerprint, which greatly enhances overall security.
Krystian Kolondra notes:
After making crypto payments smooth and easy on mobile, we wanted the find the perfect solution for PCs. We realized the best way is to utilize our new mobile crypto wallet technology and to give our PC users access to it.
The wallet supports both tokens and collectibles, so you can stash your CryptoKitties there. Overall, this is a promising development. Having a very accessible cryptocurrency wallet that is quickly and easily used can help push cryptocurrency adoption for everyday purchases. While you can’t just use your PC to complete the transaction, that’s not really an issue as most people keep their mobile devices close at hand. Plus, the Opera for Android wallet is user-controlled, which means all the controlling keys are stored on the phone and nowhere else.
Do you plan on using the built-in cryptocurrency wallet for the Opera PC browser? Let us know in the comments below.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock and YouTube/@Opera.
